With a strong market and good economic fundamentals, Inquirer Motoring asks some of the automotive market leaders how they fared in the first half of 2013 and their outlook for the second half as well.

With escalating real estate values, above 7-percent economic growth figures, more relaxed government spending and renewed overall confidence, consumer spending on durable goods like cars are on an unprecedented rise.

Here’s what some of our automotive leaders have to say about the automotive industry.

Chevrolet optimistic on sustaining strong performance

Entering into 2013 with great enthusiasm and optimism, Chevrolet is carrying the same attitude in an exciting battle to the finish.

“We had a very good reception with our Colorado Pickup that we continued into 2013 and was a good platform for the introduction of our record-breaking Chevy Trailblazer, that paved the way for the expected breakthrough performance of Chevrolet this 2013. With the supply constraints easing for the Trailblazer, expect an even more rapid growth of Chevrolet in the second semester,” said The Covenant Cars Company Inc. president Albert Arcilla.

TAGLE

“We are again very optimistic with the introduction of our first entry into the AUV segment with our Spin this third quarter, it will be the only model equipped with a CRDI engine in this segment and this early we are getting a very strong reception from our initial introductory activities, ” he added.

TCCCI is also enhancing its variant offer for the Trailblazer that will defitinitely “rock” the SUV segment.

“With these new and exciting models and the opening of more Chevrolet dealers nationwide, the expected breakthrough year for Chevrolet is within reach.

The industry has shown to be very robust the past months with the market more open to patronizing new brands and the its new product offers.

This makes the automotive landscape more exciting and will ultimately benefit the buyers as there will be more models to choose from with more impecable customer experience programs offered as all brands will up their activities to gain more acceptance and loyalty.

Mazda zooms ahead with double-digit growth

For Mazda, sales grew by 18 percent over the same period last year.

TAN

Berjaya Auto Philippines (BAP) took over the distribution of Mazda in the country early this year with Steven Tan at the helm as CEO of BAP.

“The total number of Mazda vehicles sold in the first half of this year was 949 units, an improvement of 18 percent versus same period last year. However, the real increase was really in Q2 where sales were 33 percent better than same quarter last year.

“We took over the distribution in January this year, but we to rebuild quite a lot of structural processes internally and with the dealers in the first few months—this work is on-going but the processes are a lot more efficient and stable now, hence the better Q2 results,” said Tan.

He further added that “the second half should be significantly better than the first half as the dealerships network continues to rebuild their core strength and gain momentum.”

“We have just added three more provincial dealerships in the network this month July in Tarlac, Cavite and Iloilo. Davao should be operational in Q4, making the total dealerships in the Mazda network to stand at 15 dealerships by end of the year,” Tan said.

“A stronger network with wider distribution, together with the recent new products and improvement in brand familiarity should get us better number in the second half,” Tan added.

SYTIN

Bridgestone foresees better growth in second half Philippine Allied Enterprises Corp. (PAEC), the exclusive distributor of Bridgestone in the Philippines, posted a 20-percent growth in total sales for the first half of the year compared to their total sales during the same period last year.

According to Bridgestone, their second half of the year begun on a high note in terms of strong sales performance.

President and CEO Marc Tagle expressed confidence that the second half will be able to exceed the superb performance of the previous year.

“The company is looking at an increase of 26 percent in total sales for the second half. Our very strong product lineup plus the entry of new models will shore us up through the remainder of the year,” Tagle said.

Foton forges ahead

United Asia Automotive Group Inc. (UAAGI), the parent company of Foton Philippines, the distributors of Foton passenger and commercial vehicles in the country, inaugurated its Cebu dealership last July 10.

Now with 22 dealers and over 80 accredited service center nationwide, this makes Foton Philippines the largest distributor of Chinese-made vehicles in the country.

Foton Philippines recently bagged six awards in their global dealer conference, besting over 120 bigger and more established overseas distributors.

Aside from opening new dealerships in Cebu and Tacloban, plans are underway to put up an assembly plant within a year’s time.

Foton Philippines president Rommel Sytin said: “We started last December 2006, and now we have 22 dealerships nationwide. We are also pleased that some of our Foton vehicles have been given recognitions locally, particularly from the Car Awards Group Inc. (CAGI) as well as achievement awards from our Foton principals in sales, marketing and service.

“We value the importance of having complete service facilities by making sure parts and services are readily available nationwide.

“Foton Philippines will soon be launching more vehicle models using the ISF Cummins engine for our passenger vehicles and light duty trucks as well as Benz-Daimler engines for our heavy-duty trucks.

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